Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), the company overseeing the construction of Qatar’s integrated railway network, showcased the architectural opportunities in the works for the Doha Metro stations, during an awareness day that hosted Qatar Rail employees, project managers, design and build contractors as well as current and prospect suppliers.

Gathering over 300 attendees for a presentation and discussion led by the company’s procurement and architecture departments, the “Architectural Works for Doha Metro – Phase 1” conference served as an ideal platform to share Qatar Rail’s procurement strategy, the packages and prequalification process, and the projects including the interior fit out for the stations, the structure for the elevated stations as well as the landscaping plans.

Mohamed Timbely, Senior Director, Architecture and MEP at Qatar Rail, briefed attendees on the Doha Metro’s architectural works - materials and finishes, on Qatar Rail’s architectural branding guidelines as well as on the status and opportunities for materials and FF&E (Furniture, fixtures, and equipment). The first phase for the project’s architectural works, covering 37 stations, is slated for completion by 2018 while the second, extending to 60 stations, by 2030.

“As is reflected in the developments that our partners and suppliers were presented with today, our procurement and architectural strategies are very much aligned with the vision we had set out for the Doha Metro project: to build an integrated network that serves the Qatari community and pays heed to its heritage and culture, all the while meeting and exceeding word-class standards of quality assurance. There is synergy, proactivity and positive competitiveness that has trickled down from our larger infrastructural works and tenders to the very detail in the build, design and feel of each Doha Metro station. Seeing the overarching vision for Doha Metro come to life in each stage of the project is immensely gratifying,” said Timbely.

Branding for the project’s architecture elements will pour into three subsets of Qatar Rail’s guidelines: network identity, line identity and station identity. The project’s branding concept stems from a myriad of distinctive beacons of Qatar’s heritage and culture, infusing traditional design elements into a modern look and feel. To this end, a recognizable network brand and consistent line identity will be punctuated by unique curated exhibits across each station that will transpire in shelter cladding, ceilings, floors, walls, vaults, interior and exterior lighting.

Taking attendees through the project’s procurement strategy, Kaldoon Truman, Senior Director, Contracts and Procurement at Qatar Rail, detailed the project’s material and tender requirements, general subcontracting conditions, tenderer instructions and pretender requirements. He explained that a third prequalification round has been launched to attract more participants and this third round will be completed by September 2015.

The “Vaulted Spaces" Metro station design was selected by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in 2013. It is derived from the historic Islamic architecture by using the old Islamic architectural element in a modern way. One of the key elements of the design is that it gives the exterior shape of the station, by using modern bright materials to stimulate the interior of the oyster. The levels of the station will be opened to each other to give passengers the feeling of comfort, also merging the functions of lighting and ventilation in the shapes of the arches.

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